NHMRC Investigator Grants

The Investigator 2027 round is now open.

If you intend to apply in this round, please notify us of your intent.

Key dates for 2027 NHMRC Investigator Grants (for funding commencing in 2028)

NHMRC round opening: 3 June 2026
UQ R&I Information Session: 12 June 2026
UQ R&I Notice of Intent close: 24 June 2026
Minimum data requirements in Sapphire: 1 July 2026
Applications due to UQ R&I: 1 July 2026
Career disruption evidence due to UQ R&I: 15 July 2026
Applications close with NHMRC: 5PM AEST, 29 July 2026
Proposed peer review: August to November 2026

Overview

The objective of the Investigator Grant scheme is to support the research program of outstanding investigators at all career stages. It builds the capacity of Australian research for the future and creates knowledge through investment in research which improves health and thus contributes to Australia’s prosperity. An Investigator Grant offers a consolidated five-year funding package that includes salary (if required) and research support package (RSP). The scheme comprises two categories - Emerging Leadership (EL) and Leadership (L).

Eligibility for Emerging Leadership applicants

Emerging Leadership applicants must be within 10 years of their PhD award date. The PhD census date is 29 July 2026 (to be confirmed). This means that your PhD must have been awarded on or after 29 July 2016 to meet this requirement. Eligible career disruptions may be used to extend the eligibility window. The Research Office requires supporting evidence (e.g., HR letter, statutory declaration) for career disruptions to be submitted (nhmrc@research.uq.edu.au) by 15 July 2026.

UQ R&I information session

An online information session will be held on Friday, 12 June 2026, 10:30am - 12pm.

Click on the button below to download an .ics file containing the session details and Zoom link.

Add to Calendar

The session will be recorded and the recording will be made available online in due course.

How to apply

Step 1. Submit an internal Notice of Intent (NOI)

All researchers intending to submit an NHMRC 2027 Investigator Grant application (for funding in 2028) are required to submit an internal Notice of Intent (NOI). NOIs will be collated centrally and distributed to Faculties and Institutes in order to provide maximum support to the UQ research community.

External applicants

If you are not currently part of UQ and wish to apply for a 2027 Investigator grant through UQ, you must first seek support from the UQ School, Centre or Institute where you wish to complete your Investigator project. Emerging Leadership applicants should have a UQ researcher who is willing to be their mentor/supervisor before completing an NOI, as this information is requested in the form.

Submit NOI

Step 2. Read the guidelines and create an application

Familiarise yourself with the key National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC), External Funding Organisations and UQ documentation (see below).
Applications are submitted via Sapphire.
- If you already have a Sapphire account, log into Sapphire and review / update your profile.
- If you do not have a Sapphire account, please register for Sapphire. Note that requests for Sapphire accounts / activations are not instantaneous, so we recommend you register as soon as possible.
Create an application in Sapphire.

Step 3. Complete the application

Log into Sapphire and complete the application sections.
Upload all relevant attachments.

Step 4. Submit application for internal review

Complete UQ Certification in MyResearch

The certification in MyResearch is not yet available. Further instructions will be provided here in due course.

Submit your application to the Research Office

Ensure all Sapphire components are complete.
To initiate internal review:
- Certify your application to RAO in Sapphire. To do this, select 'Certification' from the left-hand menu within the application and follow the steps to submit the application to the Research Office. Application errors will be signalled and can be corrected at this stage.
- Send your Grant Proposal (in .docx format) to the Research Office at nhmrc@research.uq.edu.au.
We will review your application in accordance with your NOI preferences (eligibility and compliance +/- grantscraft) and provide feedback.
Review cycles will continue until the application is compliant with NHMRC requirements.

Step 5. Final submission

Certify your application to RAO in Sapphire.
With your approval, UQ R&I will submit your application to the NHMRC.

Readership and researcher support

Before applying, we recommend you:

Familiarise yourself with the framework for Applying for Competitive Research Grants at UQ.
Contact your faculty or institute research manager for advice on peer readership programs.
Subscribe to the UQ R&I Mailer to stay up to date with round developments.
Access the UQ R&I Grants Library, a helpful resource of past successful proposals.
Read the UQ R&I Grant writing advice and strategy website for tips on preparing your application

Key documents

NHMRC

The NHMRC grant guidelines and the full suite of NHMRC documents will be made available on GrantConnect (GO8450) , the Australian Government grants information system (login required).

Cross-scheme (Ideas and Investigator) eligibility can be checked using the NHMRC's Investigator and Ideas Grants eligibility tool.

UQ

A range of resources and workshops from the UQ library are also available to assist researchers applying for this scheme

Ensure your Researcher identifiers and profiles are up to date.
Visit Publication metrics for the National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) Investigator grant for example statements and instructions around finding key evidence to include in your NHMRC Investigator Grant application.
Attend an in-person drop-in session where you can ask questions and get help with finding metrics and other evidence relating to your publications.
Attend an in-person drop-in session where you can ask questions and get help with finding metrics and other evidence relating to your publications:
- Metrics drop-in session for your NHMRC Investigator Grant application (UQ login required) – Tuesday 16th June, 1:00-2:00pm (St Lucia campus)
- Metrics drop-in session for your NHMRC Investigator Grant application (UQ login required) – Wednesday 24th June, 10:00-11:00am (St Lucia campus).